Ideas for making the world better

[Mariana Trench]

In light of the recent zeitgeist movement/Venus project discussions, this thread is dedicated to discussing ideas for making the world better hopefully in a more realistic way. Go.

[taylor]

The first thing you should do is define your terms. What is "better"? What is your ultimate goal, the ultimate variable that you are trying to maximize specifically?

[Mariana Trench]

Originally Posted by taylor

The first thing you should do is define your terms. What is "better"? What is your ultimate goal, the ultimate variable that you are trying to maximize specifically?

This is thread where interpretation is allowed, as opposed to a specific goal of mine needing action steps.

[scorpio1980]

In my world view the world would be a better place if there were no more religion. Spirituality is great, religion not so much.

[ZephyrusX]

I suppose I'll just throw something random out here. I personally like organizations that attempt to alleviate poverty in third world countries by giving them loans in order to set up self-sustaining businesses. That way, they are not dependant upon charity. I think 'Kira' might be such an organization (though I may be remembering the name wrong... ).

Poverty and education are linked to so many other social factors so they were the main areas that I focussed on in my undergraduate studies.

[taylor]

Originally Posted by Mariana Trench

This is thread where interpretation is allowed, as opposed to a specific goal of mine needing action steps.

My only point is before posters might come up with specific solutions they might want to define the underlying problem.

For example I was a big laissez-faire capitalist back in the day because my goal was maximizing the economy. So I had certain schemes in my head on how to make the world "better". However, I later decided that economic prosperity was only an intermediate level goal, and was only part of the underlying variable I was trying to maximize. If I would have focused too much on the economy I would be undermining other more important efforts because I hadn't defined the goal properly.

Just trying to help us get clear is all. Not trying to answer the question for anyone.

[taylor]

Originally Posted by ZephyrusX

I think 'Kira' might be such an organization (though I may be remembering the name wrong... ).

Kiva. It's pretty great and the only thing I think I donate to atm.

Kiva - Loans that change lives

[ZephyrusX]

Congrats on the Mod status BTW: I think you'll make a good mod; you are very sensible and level headed. Feel free to chase me around with the 'hammer' every now and then though. It will be our little 'game'.

[Mariana Trench]

Originally Posted by taylor

My only point is before posters might come up with specific solutions they might want to define the underlying problem.

For example I was a big laissez-faire capitalist back in the day because my goal was maximizing the economy. So I had certain schemes in my head on how to make the world "better". However, I later decided that economic prosperity was only an intermediate level goal, and was only part of the underlying variable I was trying to maximize. If I would have focused too much on the economy I would be undermining other more important efforts because I hadn't defined the goal properly.

Just trying to help us get clear is all. Not trying to answer the question for anyone.

I gotcha. I think part of the issue though is defining what kind of world we want, and I don't think I can provide that as a premise. I probably will give my opinion in this thread, though.

[taylor]

Originally Posted by Mariana Trench

I gotcha. I think part of the issue though is defining what kind of world we want, and I don't think I can provide that as a premise. I probably will give my opinion in this thread, though.

Cool, that's all I meant.

[JDuff]

I agree with Taylor. The key is to maximise utility not wealth. And future people deserve to have their utility considered, as do all living beings capable of experiencing utility - be it simple bodily pleasure and pain, or the whole host of higher cognitive, emotional and 'spiritual' experiences.

So it's simple - I want a world with maximal utility.

So, to maximise utility the absolute urgent imperatives are (1) environmental protection and sustainability, and (2) targeted wealth redistribution. (1) assures the future of all species within boundaries of suitable population levels, and (2) assures lives are saved immediately.

I dream of a world where all people and all species experience lives that are as happy as possible. It's obvious that Donald Trump having another $1000 in his bank account this past minute probably hasn't made him 1 iota happier, but if it was used to save 5 (or 50) starving children, that's a whole load of extra happiness in the world. Trump isn't saving these kids now, so the money should be forcibly taken from him. (He's just an example, but he's too concerned about getting himself tax cuts he doesn't need whilst the average American can get public service cuts, job cuts and wage reductions).

And we don't want to destroy the beautiful Earth or reduce it's beauty in irreversible ways for all future generations, because that would be very short term gain for very long term loss.

[Neobian]

We have mother's day, earth day, all saints day so on..
We need to have a "No Sin Day" every year and people across the globe must excercise thier conscience to not commit any sin / break rules.

Then a "No hunger day" - more than 50% of world have just one time meals a day. A meal costs less that $1 for these people. Each earning person need to be taxed $10/year by respective govts and fund given to the poorest of the poor for 3 times good meals for a day.

[ZephyrusX]

But what if being sinful or breaking the rules in\s more in line with more sense of morality? I propose a 'break the rules day' - I'm going to dress in drag and praise the devil.

Originally Posted by Neobian

We have mother's day, earth day, all saints day so on..
We need to have a "No Sin Day" every year and people across the globe must excercise thier conscience to not commit any sin / break rules.

[Kali]

I would open up the top of everyone's head and pour in love and compassion. Oh, I guess that is not very realistic. :/

[elucidate]

Originally Posted by Kali

I would open up the top of everyone's head and pour in love and compassion. Oh, I guess that is not very realistic. :/

Maybe not, but you can always set the example.

[Lynn 007]

I would like to see a world full of laughter and humour.

We seem to get to a certain age and laughing isn't as prevailant in our daily lives as it should be. Laughing is contagious.
We all face challenges and need to overcome obstacles but if we can do it with a sense of humour and lighten up, it would make the world a better place.

I suggest trying to make someone laugh today.

Oh, and get rid of religion - they take themselves far too serious.

[Criseyde]

Today I was bumming around with an old friend and someone started coming over to us, calling out: "sir! ma'am!" (I'm not used to being called that ). I stopped and waited for him. When he got to us, he told us that he had run out of gas and was trying to get home, and asked us if we had any money. My friend said "oh, I can buy you some." So we walked over to the gas station and my friend pumped him, I dunno what it was, $10 or $15 worth maybe.

I felt really honored to be his friend, after that.

So here is my idea, based on this experience and others like it: We could all get out of our own little bubbles and pay attention to the lives of others. If someone needs help and it's within our power to give it, we could do that. We could all be a little more giving. And I'm not talking only about money: I'm also talking about time, empathy, an ear, a shoulder, an intervention on someone's behalf (I'm sure we've all witnessed someone getting bullied), and whatever else we find in our hearts to give at any particular moment.

[AlmostGodess]

Uh, there are so many things I would do and propose, please let me start with just three of them

1) Alcohol and drugs. I would prohibit them or tax it in such a way that it becomes impossible to buy them.

2) No visas or borders. I think borders are trouble and we need a new concept here.

3) Protecting the environment. I know this is a huge topic. Personally, I do not use trash bags anymore and avoid all plastic bags at all costs. I also turn off the lights in all the offices on my floor when I live work. I feel that by doing this, the world becomes a little bit better

[Le Roi]

For ideas, I would:

1) Legalize all drugs. This would substantially reduce crime and funding for crime gangs.
2) Open the border. Allow people the freedom to move around freely
3) Legalize prostitution. This would reduces rape, and allows people to do what they want to do without fear of the law.
4) Forbid the US military from sending any ground or air units outside the United States. Allow only naval ships to be sent out to protect trade routes. This would help three ways: 1) Reduce the need for a huge military, and thus save hundreds of billions of dollars each year and 2) Help the world from being bullied or attacked by the only superpower around. 3) Reduce terrorist attacks on the US which in turns remove the need for government employees to feel our genitalia when we board an airplane.

And my favorite:

5) Allow nudeness (but not sexual behavior) in the street and in public places. Stop this uptightness about the human body.

[Andrew Gubb]

I like Le Roi's ideas. I wish we could make sexual activity in public legal too. It doesn't hurt anyone, and if people could accept it I think it'd remove a lot of our sexual ills.

But people wouldn't like that, so I guess that law is in place for now.

Le Roi, did you know nudity is legal in Barcelona? (Not Spain in general, just Barcelona). I've only met 3 people in my time here who were walking about nude on the street, though. It seems that public disapproval works as just an effective policing force as any legal stuff. The guys who were doing it were either doing a sort of crusade to get people to accept nudity, or just liked negative attention in one case (apparently).

[Le Roi]

Originally Posted by Andrew Gubb

Le Roi, did you know nudity is legal in Barcelona? (Not Spain in general, just Barcelona). I've only met 3 people in my time here who were walking about nude on the street, though. It seems that public disapproval works as just an effective policing force as any legal stuff. The guys who were doing it were either doing a sort of crusade to get people to accept nudity, or just liked negative attention in one case (apparently).

Nope, didn't know. That's awesome though! In New York City, it's legal for women to bare their breast. However, I don't know if women actually do it there. Perhaps it's a habit from the cold weather that pervades the city for a good part of the year, plus social pressure/culture.

In France, it's always legal for women to bare their breasts at beaches. However, only a percentage of women actually take advantage of this. Even if only a percentage of women take advantage of this, I like that they have the freedom to do it. However, the beaches that allow full nudity is pretty much filled with 90-95% of fully nude people.

[Andrew Gubb]

As for things to do to make the world better that can be done without being in parliament, I had the idea of creating a sort of social movement / group dedicated to getting people to be closer together and love more.

The idea would be to wear t-shirts that clearly identify us, then go out onto the streets.

We'd do one of the following things:

• Say hi to everyone we meet on the street, and if they are open we'll go ahead and start a conversation with them
• Offer everyone who passes by some of the food we have / are eating
• Offer free hugs
• Make eye contact and smile at people
• Respectfully approach people, as if doing a survey, and then ask them about their life and dreams.

All of these ideas are intended to help break down the barrier between each person and eventually help bring society together as a more closely interlinked network of people who care about each other (as opposed to fearful people who want to save themselves only and don't consider other people's welfare as their problem).

[ZephyrusX]

Finding ideas that may make the world better and actually implementing them are two different things. The latter requires some knowledge of how political systems work. There has been projects in Canada that provide clean syringes for homeless populations that are addicted to drugs, and through their research, they have shown that they can reduce the prevalence of diseases, such as HIV, by providing these services free of charge. This would also reduce the strain on the healthcare system. But last I checked, there is no contending government that is willing to openly support this program full time due to the acceptance of drug use.

I think changing the highschool curriculum on sex education would also be a wonderful idea. It can be expanded to cover more topics on sexuality and reproduction. But again, everyone knows that an abstinence only education leads to multiple problems (high pregnancies, higher demand for abortion, unhealthy attitudes towards sex). The real issue is convincing school authorities and parents that the curriculum needs to be changed.

[Mariana Trench]

Originally Posted by Le Roi

Nope, didn't know. That's awesome though! In New York City, it's legal for women to bare their breast. However, I don't know if women actually do it there. Perhaps it's a habit from the cold weather that pervades the city for a good part of the year, plus social pressure/culture.

If I remember reading the story correctly, that was decided because of a long drawn out court case. Essentially, the city wanted to charge the woman walking around with indecent exposure, but she decided to sue/fight back on that as a discrimination issue (since it's not illegal for men to be topless).

[veloci]

I would like to see everyone uniting under the theme of unconditional love - true acceptance. Then the world would be in a state of joy.

[Mariana Trench]

Originally Posted by ZephyrusX

Finding ideas that may make the world better and actually implementing them are two different things. The latter requires some knowledge of how political systems work. There has been projects in Canada that provide clean syringes for homeless populations that are addicted to drugs, and through their research, they have shown that they can reduce the prevalence of diseases, such as HIV, by providing these services free of charge. This would also reduce the strain on the healthcare system. But last I checked, there is no contending government that is willing to openly support this program full time due to the acceptance of drug use.

I think changing the highschool curriculum on sex education would also be a wonderful idea. It can be expanded to cover more topics on sexuality and reproduction. But again, everyone knows that an abstinence only education leads to multiple problems (high pregnancies, higher demand for abortion, unhealthy attitudes towards sex). The real issue is convincing school authorities and parents that the curriculum needs to be changed.

You are very right. I think Margret Thatcher did a free needle exchange program--if I remember correctly, the results were phenomenal.

I also think the second one is very important. The sex ed I experienced through the public school system was pitiful. I remember scouring Planned Parenthood's website at fourteen to get some actual information. High schoolers need information they can trust and use to make informed decisions. It's also just very healthy in general to know how your body works and feel in control. It might even be a good idea to teach an overview of the fertility awareness method (not the rhythm method) simply because of the depth of knowledge that gives a person about their body.

[Mariana Trench]

Originally Posted by AlmostGodess

Uh, there are so many things I would do and propose, please let me start with just three of them

1) Alcohol and drugs. I would prohibit them or tax it in such a way that it becomes impossible to buy them.

The US tried and has tried to do that and it simply doesn't work very well. I think the issue of substance use and abuse is too complex to simply try to prohibit drugs. Basically, I see several facets of this:

1) There are people who use various drugs and alcohol responsibly. They don't do damage to others and only the physiological damage inherent in the substance to themselves (or maybe they do do some damage to themselves but have weighed the risk and decided that that's what they want--the same way one might decide to eat lots of unhealthy food). There wouldn't be any point in taking away substances from these people.

2) Addicts. They will get a hold of these substances if it's the last thing they do. Often they do this illegally--through drug gangs--which funds a lot of violence. For addicts that want to get clean, there should be programs. Addicts that don't want to get clean will not. If these people are stealing, etc, to fund their habit they can and should be sent through the legal system for those crimes.

3) Kids. I think the illegality of these substances actually causes more kids to get into them because it's impossible to regulate the suppliers. So the dealers will use whatever tactics (including lying about what the substance is, saying it's candy) to get kids hooked. The drugs that we've legalized and regulated--tobacco and alcohol--can't do that. A kids has to make a conscious effort to get them.

3) Protecting the environment. I know this is a huge topic.

Absolutely! I think one big trick is implementing policies that will actually cause the desired effects...

Originally Posted by Le Roi

For ideas, I would:

1) Legalize all drugs. This would substantially reduce crime and funding for crime gangs.
2) Open the border. Allow people the freedom to move around freely
3) Legalize prostitution.

...
And my favorite:

5) Allow nudeness (but not sexual behavior) in the street and in public places. Stop this uptightness about the human body.

Totally agree!

[LostMyMap]

I've been seeing this argument that legalizing all drugs would reduce crime, but I really don't believe it. The organized crime groups will always have something to sell. And the addicts will still break into your house to fund their addiction.

Also, I think suggesting to get rid of religion is every bit as judgemental as religions themselves. Religion really works well for some people and who are you to say it should be removed? Why would you take away someone's choice in the matter? We don't need to remove religion, we just need to stop fighting over it.

My idea for making the world a better place? Reining in population growth. Pretty soon, over population is going to overcome any efforts in ennvironmentalism, sustainability, etc. And I don't mean some sort of Nazi-like control either. But cultural changes so that the highest growth areas are willing to slow things down and exercise some birth control. Yes, I realize at least one certain religion is against that. But even there, it's going to work better as a cultural shift than an attempt to abolish them.

[KaleidoskopicVision]

Originally Posted by LostMyMap

I've been seeing this argument that legalizing all drugs would reduce crime, but I really don't believe it. The organized crime groups will always have something to sell. And the addicts will still break into your house to fund their addiction.

Also, I think suggesting to get rid of religion is every bit as judgemental as religions themselves. Religion really works well for some people and who are you to say it should be removed? Why would you take away someone's choice in the matter? We don't need to remove religion, we just need to stop fighting over it.

My idea for making the world a better place? Reining in population growth. Pretty soon, over population is going to overcome any efforts in ennvironmentalism, sustainability, etc. And I don't mean some sort of Nazi-like control either. But cultural changes so that the highest growth areas are willing to slow things down and exercise some birth control. Yes, I realize at least one certain religion is against that. But even there, it's going to work better as a cultural shift than an attempt to abolish them.

What will they sell? This is how I would do it, you tell me what flaws you see in this.

Draft and pass a law that makes the banning of a substance illegal. This means there will be no black market for drugs. Ever. Every drug will be legal. What will be illegal is the standard crimes that have often become associated with drugs. Murder, burglary, blackmail etc etc etc will still be illegal. Drugs won't. Giving someone a drug without their permission will be illegal. Taking one on your own won't. A simple, clearcut law that takes the wind right out of the sails of the black market.

Addicts breaking into houses to fund addiction is an irrelevant and post hoc argument. No one is proposing we legalize burglary. Correlation does not equal causation and preventing addicts from robbing houses is a poor excuse to continue the War on Drugs because the cost of prevention is disproportionate to the statistical damage of the crime. Buy a 12 gauge if the danger concerns you, before those are illegal too.

[KaleidoskopicVision]

Subsidize nootropic research. Subsidize research dedicated to increasing intelligence, as well as research endeavoring to define intelligence (and subsidies for the former being dependent on results from the latter). The latter is more important than the former, lest we have research going off in any direction with what is being experimentally increased having such a loose definition.